Kidnapping

Plain English

Kidnapping is a serious crime in which someone forcibly takes another person and moves them from one place to another without permission. The key elements are that the taking is unlawful and the victim doesn't consent. Kidnapping often involves holding someone for ransom, but it can also include taking someone with intent to harm them or commit another crime. The severity of charges depends on whether the victim was a child, whether force was used, and whether ransom was demanded.

Example

A man forcibly grabs a woman from a parking lot, puts her in his car, and drives her to an abandoned warehouse where he demands money from her family. He is arrested and charged with kidnapping and extortion.

Used in a sentence

“The defendant was convicted of kidnapping after authorities found evidence he had taken the child across state lines.”

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